ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A question on the mind of many St. Johns County residents: What comes next for the World Golf Hall of Fame property in the World Golf Village?
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As the building collects dust, the county is actively seeking redevelopment proposals through a unique two-phase request for proposals (RFP) process, County Administrator Joy Andrews said, which could soon provide answers to the oft-asked question.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously directed the county to pursue this procurement approach in March. The process is open to various options, including public-private partnerships, leasing, or fee simple purchase.
“This has been a long time coming,” Andrews said. “Our purchasing, economic development, and public affairs departments worked on the RFP for months. We released it in early June after getting the board’s consensus on timing.”
The first phase, currently underway and lasting 40 days, asks applicants to submit conceptual proposals.
“The board will review these concepts and eliminate proposals by consensus that don’t move forward,” Andrews explained. “Those selected will enter phase two, where more detailed technical proposals will be developed.”
Applicants will have to pay $10,000 to apply.
Andrews also took time to address any confusion among residents about who controls the use restrictions on the property in question.
“There’s a misconception that St. Johns County imposed restrictions on the building’s use. That’s not true,” she said. “The restrictions come from the original developer, and the county is actually negotiating with them to remove those restrictions.”
Andrews said the county’s regulatory authority over land use is separate from developer-imposed restrictions from the late 1990s. She explained that the Board of County Commissioners only regulates land use changes requested by developers or land users.
Removing the restrictions is not critical, Andrews said, but it would expand development options and could decrease the property’s value if they remain in place. She added that negotiations with the developer are ongoing to balance private interests with public benefit.
Potential for redevelopment and timeline
The county said it is open to any type of proposal, including concepts that might require demolishing the existing building.
“If a winning proposal calls for a water park, for example, the current building wouldn’t be useful,” Andrews said. “It depends on the concept.”
The RFP process will likely conclude with final selections by January 2026, after both phases and evaluation are completed.
Currently, the county pays for maintaining the building’s air conditioning and upkeep to prevent damage, but Andrews said that problems could arise if the process to fill the vacant building goes longer than anticipated.
“The county’s maintenance costs are roughly $400,000, but we’re only paying minimal costs now since the building is unused,” Andrews said. “If the process takes longer, we may need to find revenue sources or tenants to cover expenses.”
